Times Square Is Evacuated in Bomb Scare [Pathfinder Had "Propane Tanks, Gasoline and Timing Device"]

NYTimes ^ | May 01st 2010 | RAY RIVERA and KARIN HENRY

[Steelfish]

Times Square Is Evacuated in Bomb Scare

The scene at Times Square on Saturday night after police found a suspicious package inside a Pathfinder on West 45th Street.

RAY RIVERA and KARIN HENRY May 1, 2010

A bomb in Times Square led to the evacuation of thousands of tourists and theatergoers from the area on a warm and busy Saturday evening, the police said. There was no explosion.

“It appears to be a car bomb left in a Pathfinder between Seventh and Eighth,” said Deputy Commissioner Paul J. Browne, the Police Department’s chief spokesman. The device, he said, contained “explosive elements” that included “propane tanks, some kind of powder, gasoline and a timing device.”

“This is very much an active investigation,” he said.

The device was discovered by a mounted police officer who saw a box with smoke pouring from it in the back of the Pathfinder, Mr. Browne said. The officer called for backup, and the Fire Department and bomb squad.

The Pathfinder’s back window was broken out, Mr. Browne said, and the police sent in a “robotic device” to “observe it.”

Police began evacuating Times Square, starting with businesses along Seventh Avenue, including a Foot Locker store and a McDonald’s restaurant.

The license plates on the Nissan were registered to a Ford, the police said.

A New York City firefighter who told Reuters he arrived early on the scene said that the vehicle was smoking and that he saw “a flash” from the back of the it. “We put two and two together” and the evacuation was ordered, he said. Broadway was closed between at least 43rd and 46th Streets, and the police also appeared to be closing off part of Eighth Avenue.

[TBP]

I wonder what specifically the target was.

[GiovannaNicoletta]

bookmark

[Steelfish]

Thanks the bombs was detected. Had it gone off, May 01st 2010 would have marked the end of the Obama Presidency.

[Steely Tom]

Tea Party doesn’t like The Lion King?

[IdeeFixe]

specifically the target? the huge numbers of people hanging out in Times Square on a very warm Saturday night? Flashback to the London in 2007, AQ bombs made of similar materials (propane tanks and gasoline cans, like London in June, 2007)-—also in the London’s theater district.

[unkus]

Thanks the bombs was detected. Had it gone off, May 01st 2010 would have marked the end of the Obama Presidency.

---

I wonder if they still want to hold the trials in NYC???

[GeronL]

Had to be one of those protesting leftists, I don’t think anyone with a brain could have done such a bad job of building a bomb.

[gunsequalfreedom]

I wonder what specifically the target was.

[J Edgar]

no comment until further reliably reported and authenticated details are available!

[Dallas59]

Wonder how big an explosion that would have made? Look for a lock down on propane tanks....

[raygunfan]

.

[Frank_2001]

“I wonder what specifically the target was.”

Japanese tourists?;)

[Steelfish]

Amish?

[Steelfish]

Drudge Report is AWOL on this

[RogerQ]

Any president allowing a successful terrorist attack has gotta be impeached.

[Dallas59]

At least they have the car and the stuff. Maybe the feds can get off their high horse over Tea Party Terrorists and go after the real thing.

[nolongerademocrat]

Those cops are heroes! Not that anyone will ever bother to tell them. Who knows how many lives they saved....

[ARepublicanForAllReasons]

Once again, the ordinary foot patrol officers are the heroes. While SWAT teams show up to 'protect and serve' the tea partier grannies, two alert police save hundreds from death and injury.

If Giuliani wants a political future, he ought to run for Mayor of NYC again. Bloomberg is a dunce.

Waiting to learn the political motivations of this latest attack on US soil.

[okie01]

If Giuliani wants a political future, he ought to run for Mayor of NYC again. Bloomberg is a dunce.

He can't. Giuliani is term-limited out.

Another example of how term=limits don't always work the way you want them to.